A/N: Heh. Nearly two months without an update. You guys would think I'd learn my lesson and post when I say I am going to post… but NO! I have to take forever. Also I suddenly had a burst of inspiration for this other story, and I didn't want to lose it…but I'm back in the saddle now. Sort of. Yeah, I could give you a whole long list of all the obstacles that kept me from writing this but I'll refrain. I don't want to bore you all.

Thank you faithful reviewers! I dedicate this chapter to you all for coping with my inability to be punctual: Princess Krystal01, Sang Yu Nung, Trunksgirl85, Psycho 24, ET, Fire/Ice Fox Goddess, and Lil Rose Angel.

Chapter 4: Acquaintance

"I'm not hiding anything!" Hiei snarled defensively.

However, Kurama let out a weak smile and then stood tall, looking down at Hiei. "You, the 'almighty fire demon,' are inside a human library reading a book. I am not stupid."

"Just give me the book back you moron," the fire demon retorted under his breath so that Kurama could not hear.

Eyeing Hiei's expressions, Kurama figured he was too humiliated to disclose any information. The fox snapped the book shut, turned around, and started heading for the library exit.

"Where do you think you're going with my book?!"

"I am going to borrow the book from the library. If you want to know what the chapter means, then you'll have to tell me what you are planning."

"But I am not planning ANYTHING!!" He shrieked. Suddenly a crowd of people glared at the fire demon with enmity as they all put their fingers to their mouth.

"Hiei, we are in the bowls of a library. You have to be quiet," Kurama mentioned with an air of superiority.

Meanwhile, Hiei merely slouched over. He was obviously unable to trick Kurama into translating text without purpose, and he thus remained silent. The fire demon merely gazed at the book's cover in Kurama's hands.

Phennix's words would not leave him. She needs you. If all those coincidences were pointing to Yukina, something must be wrong. Slight panic pulsated through his body. He desired to use his Jagan eye relentlessly, but if all of Phennix's past prophecies were true, then Hiei did not want to take a chance with his Jagan. A sigh escaped the fire demon rethinking the hopelessness of his situation. He was not even sure Yukina was in trouble or where in demon world she was.

Some brother you are, he thought to himself.

Kurama, at this time, merely observed Hiei's trance. The concern on his face was overly apparent to the fox. In fact, despite knowing Hiei's character, the red head was hurt. His friend refused to confide in him, and whatever the problem was, Kurama could tell it was tearing Hiei apart.

At long last, Kurama approached the librarian's desk. "Excuse me Mrs. S."

"Why, Suichi! Are you back for another adventure?"

"Well, no adventure or fantasy for me today. I would like to check out this novel," Kurama smiled, plopping the text onto the desk, forcing dust to fly everywhere.

"Mythology? I never knew you liked that sort of thing."

"I've always possessed an interest in it, but never read a book on the matter."

"Then you'll love this book! It has everything from spirit guides to Greek gods or goddesses to mythical creatures… everything."

Hiei looked cynically at Kurama, not listening to conversation. What was with all the boring banter? He just wanted the book and to escape this word-encased prison. Not watch Mr. talkative converse about books with some old woman. However, the fire demon held his tongue despite his disgust. If he angered Kurama, the chapter would never be translated.

Oblivious to Hiei's thoughts, Kurama continued talking, "Oh really? I did not realize that."

"Yes. Spirit guides can come in all shapes. It's quite common for people to have foxes or wolves as a guide. I would think yours would be a fox," She smiled, "You are so… intellectual, I am sure a fox spirit guide would fit you."

Kurama merely laughed. She had no idea how right that comment was. However, as he stood at the desk amused, he suddenly caught eye of Hiei. The fire demon waited here for all this time?

"I don't mean to interrupt our riveting conversation, but I'm afraid I need to be on my way. Could you stamp this book for me?"

"But of course; anything for my favorite customer."

"Ok Hiei let's go," Kurama sighed, slightly disappointed that his discussion was cut short.

Almost instantly both demons were out on the streets; however neither said a word to each other. Kurama was at a loss for words (as unbelievable as that may be), wondering what was so unbelievably important about this book. At long last, the fox opened its pages and began to translate.

However, Hiei did not notice Kurama's silent actions, wondering how he could find Yukina. His goal remained unreachable as long as Hiei remained where he was. Looking away from Kurama, Hiei began to talk, "I… um, uh.."

The fox looked up, realizing that Hiei was going to confess. A wry smile plastered itself on Kurama's face, and the boy listened intently.

"…Have been having a lot of ominous dreams about Yukina," He said with many long pauses in between each word. This was obviously not easy for him. "Yeah… uh, my intuition led me to this book."

"That's it?" Kurama smirked.

Of course not, Hiei thought cruelly, but refused to say anymore.

"Well, then sure I'll help you… you good older brother, you!" The fox laughed, turning Hiei's face into a blood red. Kurama opened the pages once again and inspected the text.

"Well?!" He asked as calmly as he could despite his impatience.

"Hiei, relax. Oh, and could you refrain from looking over my shoulder?"

"Hmph." Hiei crossed his arms, while tapping his foot.

"Boy, I am so glad a found you!!" panted an all too familiar voice. Hiei turned around to find Botan. Her hair was wet from sweat.

"Couldn't you have just flown over here?" Kurama asked, temporarily forgetting about the book.

"If I want to send the public into a panic, sure. Anyway, Koenma has an important new mission!" She said, regaining her composure.

"Why are you talking to us? Yusuke is your detective," Hiei retorted with intense cruelty at the interruption.

"Well… Yusuke only does human world type cases, and we have a problem in spirit world."

"And….?" The fire demon tapped his feet, giving Kurama a cruel glare and thus telling him to continue translating.

"It seems that there has been a breakout of mass destruction in the forests."

"What can we do to help?" Kurama asked kindly.

"We need an expert on fire magic to fight whoever is doing this!" Botan exclaimed.

"Hell no." Hiei flatly remarked. "I have more important things." Knowing that he was not needed, Kurama decided to stay out of the conversation.

Botan smiled, knowing this comment was coming, and then opened up a confidential folder in her hands. "I have two reasons why you want to help us."

"Well speed it up. I don't have all day to listen to morons."

Botan sighed and responded sarcastically, "Your charm is so irresistible. I don't know how you escape the ladies."

"Your charm always precedes your ability to say hello." Hiei shook his head, remembering Phennix's comment in his dream. This problem of his possessed too many coincidences.

"Anyway," She flipped through several papers in the folder until reaching a file. "I hold in my hands, your record. If you do this, Koenma will officially free you of you banishment to this city."

"I've been promised that before."

"Well this time, I won't break my promise."

"As if I'd trust you."

"Ok listen. The forests… as well as other places in spirit world are being burned down with some sort of magical fire. We tried to freeze it, throw water on it, and even tried to blow it away with wind. But nothing is working. This fire doesn't even need fuel to sustain itself… If this continues, all of spirit world will turn into an endless inferno! We need to fight fire with fire, and you're the demon for the job."

"As if I would assist any of you with my own free will."

"Name your price!"

"No."

"But Yukina dwells in those forests. She may die if you don--"

"Yukina?!"

Both Kurama and Botan switched glances. The fox demon considered what Hiei had disclosed earlier. Hiei had dreamt of Yukina and now whatever the dream was…might be coming true. Meanwhile, Botan was content with herself. Obviously she pulled the right string.

"So will you help us? You'll get to go to spirit world, see Yukina, and if you are successful, then your banishment will be revoked." A smile appeared on Botan's face.

Hiei merely gazed at the ground. Did he really want to go on another mission?

"Do we have a deal? You're freedom and Yukina's safety for your services."

"Fine."

"Take this," Botan handed Hiei and Kurama each a communicator.

A smirk came on Kurama's face. "I'll contact you when I translate the text. Besides, if you need any information about magic based fire, I'm the library guy."

"Just tell me as soon as the text is translated," Hiei dryly responded, attempting to sound as calm as demonly possible. Yukina really was in trouble, and he was determined to find her.

"Well let's go Hiei," Botan cheerfully said as she magically pulled out her stick.

A/N: My bad. I said Yukina was going to appear but she didn't. –sigh- Well now it is official: she WILL appear in the next chapter, and all the angst-drama that was promised in the summary shall finally come to pass.

Yay! Sorry it took 4 chapters to build up…it's just there is an underlying plot to the Yukina-loves-Hiei-and-Hiei-is-weirded-out-thing and I had to well… build up to it. -wicked laugh-

And I'll TRY to post quickly, but I am not giving any promises this time. Since well… I can't keep 'em.